The Counseling Chronicles

The Counseling Chronicles are a quarterly update that we will be sending to all SRMS parents. Along with quarterly updates, we will also post resources that may be of interest to SRMS parents. Please do not hesitate to reach out, we are certainly a team!

Need to pick up your child early?

Please submit your intended pick-up time into School Dismissal Manager to make the school aware. Once you arrive at SRMS, you may pull up to the front doors by the flagpole and call the main office. They will locate your child and send them out to you. Please allow extra time for your child to stop at their locker.

Will your child be late?

Please submit your intended drop-off time to the School Dismissal Manager to make the school aware. Please make sure your child checks in with the attendance office upon arrival in order to be properly excused.

Will your child be absent?

When your child is home sick, they should rest. If they are up to working, they can check Google Classroom and do what they can. Please do not forget to report absences in School Dismissal Manager (SDM).

Chromebook Advice:

Please make sure your child has their Chromebook charged for each school day. Students are not allowed to place stickers on their Chromebooks, a fine will be charged if this occurs.

STAY UP TO DATE:

Teachers will post assignments on Google Classroom. Your child has Google Classroom access, feel free to sit with them and have them show you what they are working on.

PowerSchool is where grades are posted. If work is missing, you will see a zero. When the work has been made up, the zero will change to the new grade.

Hello 6th Grade Families!

Hard to believe we’re already halfway through Quarter 2, sixth grade is moving fast! With the cooler weather settling in and winter upon us, students are really finding their rhythm as the school year moves along.

This quarter, I’ll be visiting classrooms to talk with students about organization and time management. These skills are becoming increasingly important as academic expectations grow, and they remain common areas of concern for both students and parents. If your child doesn’t already use a physical planner or tools like Google Calendar or Google Tasks, this can be a great place to start. Building these habits now can make their days feel more manageable and set them up for success as the year continues.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there’s anything I can support your child with as we move through the quarter!

Warmly,

Nicki Smith

Dear 7th Grade Families,

As we approach the holiday break, I want to encourage our 7th grade students and families to slow down and give yourselves permission to rest. This time of year can feel busy and overwhelming, especially after working so hard through the fall, but taking a break is an important part of staying healthy—both mentally and physically. Simple moments like sharing meals, talking, laughing, or just being together can help students recharge and return feeling more balanced and ready for the new year. I hope this break offers your family time to pause, reconnect, and enjoy one another, and I wish you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. See you for the second half of the year!

Warmly,

Stephanie Boatman

A Time for Reflection and Planning

Dear 8th Grade Families,

As 2025 winds down, I want to take a moment to wish all of our families a happy, safe, and restful holiday season. December is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect with family, and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. I am incredibly proud of how our 8th graders have managed the academic rigor and social growth of this pivotal year thus far.

I encourage you to use the upcoming break as a time for restorative rest. Please remind your students that stepping away from academic pressure is just as important as studying. Prioritizing family time, sleep, and hobbies is key to returning in January refreshed and ready for the final push of the school year.

High School Transition:

While we cherish the present moment, we must also look forward to the next major step in your child’s educational journey: the transition to high school.

We are quickly approaching a critical date for all 8th-grade students and their families:

High School Orientation Night and Elective Fair This evening is designed to demystify the high school environment. It will be the first official opportunity to learn about the registration process, explore course offerings, meet key administrators and counseling staff, and understand extracurricular activities.

I strongly encourage both the student and at least one parent/guardian to attend. The information shared is essential for making informed decisions regarding your child’s 9th-grade schedule.

Date: Wednesday, January 14th (snowdate January 25th) Location: Ridgefield High School. Stay tuned on correspondence from RHS with more details.

We also have many activities planned in January for course selection:

• Thurs Jan 8th: The RHS counselors will visit SRMS and present information on course options and requirements.

• Fri Jan 9th: Advisory #1 - Students will look at course offerings and materials & work on a “mock” high school course schedule in preparation for course registration.

• Fri Jan 23rd: Advisory #3 - We will host a Q&A session with some of our former SRMS students (current high school students).

• Sun Jan 25th: Recommendations are visible to you via PowerSchool.

• Thurs Jan 29th & Fri Jan 30th: Course Registration for 8th graders (will be completed in school with a school counselor during Social Studies classes).

This is an exciting stage of the school year that we are entering. I look forward to partnering with you in the New Year to ensure a smooth and confident transition to high school.

Wishing you all the best for the holidays,

Liz Reynolds

8th Grade School Counselor

Dear SRMS Families,

I am excited to introduce myself as the new Dean of Students for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at Scotts Ridge Middle School. Many of you may already know me, as I have had the joy of teaching Science here for the past 16 years. In this new role, I will continue to support our students’ growth by focusing on their social and emotional well-being, alongside their academic success.

I bring to this role a deep commitment to education and leadership. With over 15 years of experience as a teacher, curriculum writer, and building leader, I have served on multiple district committees focused on connections, belonging, social-emotional behavioral supports, and safety. I have also had the privilege of coordinating advisory and SEL programs, implementing Yale’s RULER framework, and guiding Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). My background as an educator, leader, and coach has shaped my belief that students thrive when they feel seen, valued, connected and supported.

My work will center on the five CASEL competencies, which provide students with lifelong skills for success. Through self-awareness, students learn to recognize their emotions, strengths, and values; with self-management, they gain strategies to handle feelings and work toward their goals. Social awareness fosters empathy and respect for others, while relationship skills help them build healthy friendships and resolve conflicts. Finally, responsible decision-making guides students in making safe, caring, and fair choices that benefit themselves and their community.

In addition to strengthening these competencies, a key part of my role will involve restorative practices and behavioral support. I will help students understand the impact of their choices, repair harm when it occurs, and turn conflicts into learning opportunities. Working within our 6–8 handbook guidelines, I will address behavioral challenges, provide consequences when necessary, and for students who need additional support, create personalized plans to help them grow socially and emotionally. I will collaborate with teachers, families, and staff to provide targeted supports, create positive classroom environments, and share strategies that can be reinforced at home. My goal is to ensure that every student feels safe, connected, valued, and empowered to thrive in our school community.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our school community in this new way and to continue building relationships with families I’ve come to know over the years. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I look forward to working together to help our students grow with confidence, kindness, and resilience.

Warmly,

Kelly Hall
SEL Dean of Students

As we face the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is important to carve out time to slow down and recharge. Try creating a Mindfulness Practice. Here is a mindful activity to get you started.

Deep breathing with a cozy cup of hot cocoa:

Check out other Parent Workshops here!

A note from the School Counseling Office:

School breaks are a wonderful opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and strengthen

relationships with your adolescent. Connection doesn’t require anything elaborate! Just finding

shared time, curiosity, and presence. Below are ideas to help families bond in fun, meaningful

ways.

Screen-Free Ways to Connect

● Go for a “no-agenda” walk. Let your teen choose the route and set the pace.

Conversation often flows more naturally side-by-side.

● Try a puzzle or LEGO challenge together. Work on it a little each day.

● Read the same book or short story. Talk about favorite parts, characters, or surprising

moments.

● Create something together. Bake, paint, build, or try a simple DIY project.

● Share music. Each person picks a song and explains why they like it.

● Do a kindness challenge. Write thank-you notes, donate items, or help a neighbor.

Local & Low-Cost Fun Ideas

● Dress warm and visit a local park, trail, or nature preserve

● Explore a library event, museum day, or community center activity

● Try a bowling alley, skating rink, or indoor mini golf

● Attend a local sports game, event or holiday market

● Volunteer together at a food pantry, animal shelter, or community clean-up

(Teens often enjoy helping choose the activity. Giving them a voice builds buy-in and connection.)

Start a New Family Tradition

Consider beginning a tradition that can continue beyond the break:

● Weekly family game night (rotate who picks the game)

● Sunday breakfast or dinner ritual

● “High/Low” check-ins at the end of the day

● Monthly family outing jar (everyone adds ideas)

● Cook-together night where teens help plan and prepare the meal

Traditions don’t have to be perfect. Consistency matters more than creativity.

Family-Friendly Recipe: Easy Sheet-Pan Nachos

A great cook-together option that’s customizable and teen-approved.

You’ll need:

● Tortilla chips

● Shredded cheese

● Black beans or ground turkey/beef

● Bell peppers or tomatoes

● Optional toppings: avocado, salsa, sour cream, jalapeños

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F

2. Spread chips on a baking sheet

3. Add toppings and cheese

4. Bake 8–10 minutes until melty

5. Let everyone build their own plate and enjoy together

A Final Thought

Teens may not always show it, but shared time matters. Even small moments of connection

help build trust, communication, and emotional safety. Thank you for partnering with us to

support your child’s well-being at school and at home.

Department Leader

Email: sboatman@ridgefieldps.net
Website: srms.ridgefield.org
Location: 750 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 894-5725 3407

Email: dsmith@ridgefieldps.net
Website: srms.ridgefield.org
Location: 750 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 894-5725 3410

Email: ereynolds@ridgefieldps.net
Website: srms.ridgefield.org
Location: 750 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 894-5725 3409

Email: sminotti@ridgefieldps.net
Website: srms.ridgefield.org
Location: 750 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 894-5725 3416

Email: kvanallsburg@ridgefieldps.net
Website: srms.ridgefield.org
Location: 750 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 894-5725 3408